Private Member’s Bill Seeks Legal ‘Right to Disconnect’ for Employees

A private member’s bill titled the Right to Disconnect Bill, 2025 was introduced in the Lok Sabha on 5th December, seeking to grant employees the legal right to ignore work-related calls and emails after office hours. The bill has reignited debate on work-life balance and the growing stress linked to round-the-clock digital connectivity.

The proposed legislation calls for the creation of an Employees’ Welfare Authority to ensure workers are not compelled to respond to official communication beyond designated working hours or on holidays. It aims to formally recognise the right to disconnect as a tool to reduce stress and ease conflict between personal and professional responsibilities.

Key Features of the Bill

• Legal protection against after-hours communication:
  Employees would have the explicit right to refuse calls, emails, and messages outside official working hours.
• Employees’ Welfare Authority proposed:
  A statutory body would oversee enforcement and address complaints, ensuring no worker is penalised for disconnecting after hours.
• Focus on mental well-being:
  The bill emphasises lowering workplace stress and preventing burnout by protecting personal time.

Understanding Private Member’s Bills

• A Bill may be introduced by a Minister (Government Bill) or by any MP who is not a Minister (Private Member’s Bill).
• Private member’s bills rarely become law; they are usually withdrawn after government response.
• The Lok Sabha reserves the last two-and-a-half hours of business every Friday for private members’ bills and resolutions; the Rajya Sabha allots the same time every alternate Friday.
• Only 14 private member’s bills have ever been enacted—six in 1956 and the most recent in 1970: the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Act.

Global Precedents: Countries with a ‘Right to Disconnect’

• Australia (2024):
  Law effective from August 26, 2024, to shield workers from pressure to remain constantly available.
• France (2017):
  First country to implement the right; companies with 50+ employees must negotiate policies limiting after-hours communication.
• Spain (2018):
  Enforced through data protection laws, giving workers the right to disconnect from digital work communication.
• Italy (2017):
  Integrated into labour reforms, particularly regulating remote work.
• Belgium (2022):
  Federal public sector employees are required to disengage from work-related communication after hours.
• Portugal (2021):
  New labour law protects remote workers’ right to disconnect.
• Ireland (2021):
  Implemented a Code of Practice offering guidelines for disconnecting, though not a formal law.

Sources: HT & IE